Caving

Over the millennia, as dozens of swift-flowing rivers bored through the soft limestone, the Maya Mountains became pitted with miles of caves. The Maya used them as burial sites, and, according to one theory, as subterranean waterways that linked the Cayo with communities as far north as the Yucatán. Previously, the caves fell into a 1,000-year slumber, disturbed only by the nightly flutter of bats. In recent years, the caves have been rediscovered by spelunkers.

Belize Magnificent Mayan Tours. Operated by Albert Williams and his family, Belize Magnificent Mayan Tours (usually known as BZM) has a large variety of caving tours in Cayo, including day trips to ATM, Barton Creek Cave, Crystal Cave, and Chechem Ha. It also does trips to the Chiquibul, Mountain Pine Ridge, and other destinations. 16 B. San José Succotz , San José Succotz, Cayo. 621/0312; www.bzmtours.com.

PACZ Tours. Arguably the top Actun Tunichil Muknal tour operator, PACZ has been operated by Emilo Awe since 1998, with a sizeable group of tour guides. The ATM tour costs around BZ$220 from downtown San Ignacio, including lunch and admission. PACZ also does a Barton Cave trip, for BZ$170. You can meet the PACZ tour guides at the office on Burns Avenue, or they will pick you up at hotels around San Ignacio. 30 Burns Ave., San Ignacio, Cayo. 824/0536; www.pacztours.net.